Magnolia bark (Houpo)
Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex Magnoliae officinalis
Botanical Name: 1. Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et wils.; 2. Magnolia officinalis Rhed. et Wills. var. biloba Rhed. et Wills.
Common Name: Magnolia bark
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: Between April and June, the bark is peeled off and dried in the shade. After a process of boiling, piling, steaming and drying, the herb is ready for use.
Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and warm.
Meridians: Spleen, stomach, lung and large intestine
Functions: 1. To promote qi circulation; 2. To dry dampness; 3.To descend rebellious qi and relieve asthma; 4. To resolve retention offood
Indications & Combinations:
1. Disharmony of spleen and stomach due to stagnation of dampness and retention of food manifested as epigastric distension and fullness. Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and Tangerine peel
(Chenpi) in the formula Pingwei San. If dampness blocks the spleen and stomach causing retention of food, abdominal distension and pain and constipation, Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) in the formula Da Chengqi Tang.
2. Cough and asthma. Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Apricot seed (Xingren) in the formula Guizhi Jia Houpo Xingzi Tang.
Dosage: 3-10 g